Principal Architect

Description

The company is a global infrastructure consulting firm with over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators and program and construction managers, working on water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. It reported FY2025 revenue of $16.1 billion as a Fortune 500 firm.

This senior architect role sits in the Data Center vertical at the Bucharest office and centres on project engineering management. The team serves tech-sector and data center clients who need scale, speed and consistency in their operations.

You will shape a mission-critical facility from concept through commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Set the architectural vision and strategy for data center projects, from concept to commissioning.
• Plan sites, building layouts, white space and modular growth, and check that they meet client goals, operating needs and best practice for mission-critical facilities.
• Define the architectural basis of design, balancing resiliency, maintainability, scalability and efficiency.
• Guide decisions on facility type (hyperscale, colocation, edge), massing, structure and space use.
• Design critical areas such as data halls, electrical and mechanical rooms, security zones, loading docks, NOCs, offices and support spaces, with clear circulation for people, equipment and maintenance access.
• Bring architecture together with MEP, structural, fire protection, controls and security, and resolve clashes without losing performance, cost or schedule.
• Apply regulatory, fire, life-safety and accessibility standards to the design.
• Build energy efficiency, carbon reduction and sustainable materials into the design, including envelope, water reduction and waste heat reuse.
• Lead the quality of drawings, specifications, BIM models, site plans and technical reports, and run internal and external design reviews.
• Act as the main architectural contact for clients and key partners, presenting concepts, risks and design changes clearly.
• Support construction, answer RFIs, review shop drawings and protect design integrity during build-out.
• Track developments in data center technology, including liquid cooling, high-density zones and automation, and contribute to design standards and playbooks.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Architecture is mandatory.
• 10+ years of architectural experience, with a strong record on mission-critical or large-scale data center projects.
• Skill in architectural planning, building design and coordinating complex technical facilities.
• Proven data center project experience, including coordinating with MEP and structural teams and reviewing multi-disciplinary submittals.
• Working knowledge of Revit, AutoCAD and BIM platforms.
• Experience managing complex, multi-phase or large-scale projects or data center design programs.
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks such as LEED, BREEAM or similar is preferred.

Conditions

The role follows the company's Freedom to Grow hybrid working approach, which emphasises flexibility, trust and performance.

All new hires must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at a company office as a condition of employment.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all applicant information is kept confidential under EEO guidelines.

Benefits

• Benefits depending on employment status may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D and disability cover, paid time off, leaves of absence, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, an employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, a retirement savings plan and an employee stock purchase plan.
• Access to technical and leadership training programmes, with support for career growth in a respectful, collaborative setting.